EPISODE TWELVE: Samantha Dennison
Exploring the Artful Journey of Samantha Denison
Welcome to the Art of Making Art podcast, where creativity takes center stage. Today's guest is Samantha Denison, a phenomenal still-life painter from Western Australia whose work is admired both locally and internationally.
Samantha’s journey into the world of art might seem straightforward, but it’s filled with dedication and a lifelong passion for creativity. Having been surrounded by an art-supportive environment from a young age—with a mother who was a classical ballet dancer and a grandmother who painted ceramics—Samantha was naturally drawn to
the arts. Sharing how she transitioned from being a high school art teacher to a full-time artist, Samantha emphasizes the importance of combining various skills to tell stories through her work.
Primarily a still-life artist, Samantha infuses her paintings with realism, highlighting form and the negative spaces surrounding objects. She enjoys exploring connections and metaphors through objects sourced from op shops, family gardens, and local finds. Her paintings often act as narratives, reflecting personal stories through items imbued with meaning. Recently, she has embraced her pottery skills to create vessels that become the focal point of her art, intertwining the literal with the metaphorical.
The urge to expand her craft led Samantha to join a local pottery group after experiencing loneliness in the studio due to COVID. This newfound community fostered her passion for clay, allowing her to blend her ceramics skills with her painting. Locally sourced materials, including wood ash and clays, have further connected her art to her immediate environment, reflecting a significant shift in her practice over the last year.
Samantha is driven by projects and experiences rather than seeking career milestones. One of her top experiences was an artist residency in Pilbara, which not only deepened her understanding of the landscape but also culminated in a successful group exhibition. She attributes much of her exposure and gallery representation to the early days of social media, notably Instagram, where her work attracted attention from galleries. Her strategy of sending invitations to multiple galleries yielded positive responses, ultimately shaping her career.
For emerging artists, Samantha highlights the importance of communication with galleries and understanding their models—from retail-oriented to larger conglomerates. She encourages artists to seek a gallery where they feel confident and where their evolving artistic philosophy aligns with the gallery’s expectations. Samantha’s journey mirrors this evolution, as her work today reflects deeper, more profound stories through pottery and painting.
An intriguing aspect of an artist’s life, according to Samantha, is the necessity of thinking time. While not always visible, this time is essential, as ideas often germinate during mundane activities. Samantha keeps a notebook, not a visual diary, to capture fleeting thoughts and inspirations which later inform her artistic process.
Samantha advises budding artists to be patient with themselves, allowing their practice to evolve organically. Whether through self-financing or living modestly, the goal is to create an environment that nurtures creativity. Stripping back non-essentials can provide the space and freedom necessary to focus on one’s art.
Samantha Denison's inspiring journey from teaching to becoming a celebrated artist exemplifies how passion, community, and continuous learning can shape an artist’s career. As she adapts and evolves her craft, her story encourages others to embrace change, explore creativity in new dimensions, and savour the unique journey of being an artist. All links to her work will be available in the show notes, inviting you to explore the beauty of her evolving artistry.
Samantha’s website.
Samantha’s Instagram.
Thank you to our lovely sponsor who makes this podcast possible.
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